The geographic district in which a legal action is tried and from which the jury is selected.

A method by which the opposing parties obtain information from each other to prepare for trial.

The pleading made by a plaintiff alleging wrongdoing on the part of the defendant. When filed with a court, complaint initiates a lawsuit.

The legal requirement that an individual must have a sufficient stake in a controversy before he or she can bring a lawsuit.

The process of resolving a dispute through the court system.

A special court of limited jurisdiction that conducts proceeding relating to the settlement of a deceased person's estate.

A written summary or statement prepared by one side in a lawsuit to explain its case to the judge.

A writ from a higher court asking a lower court for the record of a case.

A document informing a defendant that a legal action has been commenced against her or him and that the defendant must appear in court on a certain date to answer plaintiff's complaint.

The settling of a dispute by submitting it to a disinterested third party (other than a court), who renders a decision.

The process by which a court decides on the constitutionality of a legislative enactments and actions of the executive branch.

The important part of the jury selection process in which the attorneys question prospective jurors about their backgrounds, attitudes, and biases to ascertain whether they can be impartial jurors.

Jurisdiction that exists when two different courts have the power to hear a case.

Owen is a resident of Maine. Kelly is a Canadian. They dispute the ownership of Fondy Island, an island in North Rapids River on the border between Canada and the United States. The diversity of the parties' citizenship could serve as a basis for